Mercy Housing Lakefront, along with co-host Alderman JoAnn Thompson of the 16th Ward, celebrated the groundbreaking of its newest supportive housing property in Chicago – a 99-unit development for people who are formerly homeless or have special needs.

The property, to be located at 901 West 63rd Street, is part of the Englewood neighborhood’s revitalization, a collaborative effort to bring more housing, education and services to residents. The creation of this housing is part of the City of Chicago’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and will include on-site services including case management, resident leadership, and employment training and education.

“We are excited to be a part of the changes that are happening in Englewood,” said Cindy Holler, president of Mercy Housing Lakefront. “With this new supportive housing development, formerly homeless individuals will play a positive role in this soon-to-be thriving neighborhood. Mercy Housing Lakefront appreciates the support from the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois and the Englewood community for making this property possible.”

Several experts in Chicago’s housing industry joined Alderman Thompson and Mercy Housing Lakefront at Friday’s event for a discussion panel that examined our current financial crisis, its effect on Chicago neighborhoods and collaborative solutions for the future. The construction of this new property will bring much-needed jobs to Illinois, where the unemployment rate is 7.6 percent. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the construction of an average new multifamily rental unit resulted in 1.18 jobs and $33,494 in tax revenue in 2008. Mercy Housing Lakefront will partner with the Dawson Technical Institute of Kennedy-King College Construction Training Program to give graduates on-site experience in construction.

“This development furthers the city’s commitment to support healthy neighborhoods by investing in programs and services that emphasize the creation of jobs, and the development of new businesses and affordable housing,” said Ellen Sahli, first deputy commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Community Development. “The city has partnered with Mercy Housing Lakefront to create jobs and housing opportunities that will serve to revitalize the community and improve the lives of residents.”

The event was hosted at the Sikia Resturant, part of the Washburn Culinary Institute of Kennedy-King College.